Steam-shovel.



PATBNTBD DEG. 1, 190s.

W. s. RUSSELL. STEAM sHovBL. y APPLIUATIO `PILBI) JUNE 20, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET.1

N0 MODEL.

eZZ/MWMW www@ @f No. 745,676. PATBNTBD DEG. 1, 1903.

- 4W, S. RUSSELL.

STEAM SHOVEL. -APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 2o, 19o3 N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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7;. RUSSELL. f STEAM SHOVEL.. APPLICATION FILED .TUBE 20, 19Q3. l

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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No. 745,676. IPATENTES DB0. 1, .19.03.

W. S. RUSSELL. STEAM SHovBL.

APPLIOATION ILBD JUNE 20, 1903. N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

` Silvina;

No'. 745,676; PATENTE@ EE0. 1, 190s.

` W. s. RUSSELL.

STEAM SHOVEE.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 2D, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

No MODEL.

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N rrnn S11/riresY WILLIAM S. RUSSELL, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

S'fLAMfSHOVEL.

` SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters raient No. 745,676, ma Decanter 1, 190e.

Application filed June 20, ISGS. Y Serial No. 162,418. (No mcdel.)

To uw whom it may'concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM S. RUSSELL, acitizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Steam-Shovel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in steamshovels.

The object of the present-invention is to improve the construction of that class of maf vchinos knownas steam-shovels and used for excavating earth or other material by means of a dipper so constructed as to take up the load, elevate it, swing it toward either side of the machine, dump it,'and be returned to position to take another load; also to increase the strength and durability of thesame, and to provide one-havingincreased traction power and adapted to travel rapidly over the ground and to ascend steep grades.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steam-shovel of this character adapted to be turned completely around or partially around Within la comparatively small space.

A further object of the invention is te provide a steam-shovel in which the lsteering will be effected by changing the position of the rear axle and in which the latter will be adapted to tilt vertically to run upon uneven ground without tilting the machine.

Another object of the invention is to in` crease the strength ofthe machine at the front axle and to prevent the saine from breaking down over the front axle at the overhang or frontend, which su pports the mast and crane.

With-these and other objects in View the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fnllydescribed, iliustratedin the accompanying drawings, anc.l pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages ot' the in- In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a steam-shovel constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the running-gear, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section to illustrate the construction more clearly. Fig. 3 is a side View of the. running-gear. Fig. 4 is an' enlarged side view, partly in section, of the front portion of the running-gear. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rear portion of the running-gear. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the same, partly in section, illustrating the construction of the gearing for operating the geared turning ring of the rear axle. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of thefront portion of the running-gear. Fig. 8 isa similar view of the rear portion of the runninggear. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the propelling-shaft,illus trating the construction of the clutch for coupling and uncoupling the sections of the propellingshaft. Fig. l0 is a detail perspective View of one of the depending guideplates for the rear axle. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective View of one of the front longitudinal plates upon which the front axle and the propelling-shaft are mounted. Figs. l2 and 13 are detail views of the center bearingplates of the rear axle. Fig. 11i is a detail View of the bearing-bracket which supports the pinion that meshes with the geared turningring of the rear axle.

Like numerals ot'y reference designate corre spending parts in all the figures of the drawings.

l designates a horizon tal rectangular frame consisting of a series of longitudinal chan-v nel-bars or I-beams 2, suitably connected at Atheir ends by transverse channel-hars 3, and

the said horizontal frame forms the bed of the excavating-machine or steam-shovel and has mounted upon it an engine for operating vthe shovel and for propelling the machine,

as clearly illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings. As the presentinvention relates to the construction of the running-gear and does not contemplate the particular construction of the engine, the mast and crane, and the means for operating the same and the bucket or shovel carried thereby, a detail description and illustration of such parts is deemed unnecessary. The channelbars 3 are arranged at the terminals of the longitudinal bars or beams 2, and the latter are also connected at their ends bylower transverse chan nel-bars 4.

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The frame 1 is provided at opposite sides of its front portion with dependingV .longitudinal plates 5', tapered from the center to the ends and placed edgewiseto the under surface of the car-frame and provided at their upper edges with horizontal flanges 6, which are perforated for the reception of suitable fastening devices for securing them to the lower flanges of the side channelbars `or I-beams. The longitudinal plates 5 are pro# vided with centrally-arranged openings 7 for a front axle 8, which extends across the front of the machine and which ,istrigidlvhc'il in place by sectional boxes 9,'n'1un'tedon the outer faces of the plates 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The sectional boxes 9 are provided at their inner ends with vertical plates 10, which are bolted or otherwise secured to the longitudinal plates 5, and the said boxes are also provided at their front and rear sides with horizontal ears or flanges 11, having registering perfor-ations for the reception of bolts 12 or other suitable fastening devices for connecting the sections of the boxes and for clamping the same firmly in erigagement with the front axle, whereby the front axle is rigidlyr held in position across the front of the machine. The longitudinallydisposed flanged plates, in which the front axle is mounted, are adapted to reinforce the front of the frame, and they strengthen the overhang and eectually prevent the same from breaking down under the weight of the mast and crane, which, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, are located in advance of the front axle. The outeror front ends of the longitudinal plate 5 areied again t the adjacent transverse channel-bar 4, as cl arly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The fixed front axle is provided at its' ends with suitable spindles for the reception of traction-wheels 13, provided at the inner edges of their rims with internal gears 14, consisting of rings provided at their inne-r faces with spur-teeth and having outwardlyextending annular anges 15. The annular flanges l5, which extend from the outer faces ory peripheries ofv the bearing-rings, are L- shaped in cross-section and have outer portions 16 arranged within the rims of the front traction-wheels, at the inner edges thereof,

and secured to the same by suitable fasteningv -a transverse propelling counter-shaft 19, ar-

ranged in rear and slightly above the frontl axle and mounted in bearings 20, which are secured to the outer faces of the longitudinal plates 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The bearings or boxes 20 are provided at theirinner ends withy plates 21, which are bolted or otherwise secured to the longitudinal plates 5. The transverse propelling-shaft 19, which is composed of separate sections, is provided atk the inner faces of the vlongiinldinal plates 5 with fixed and loose collars 22 and 23, the fixed collars being provided with clampingscrews or other suitablefastening devices for holding the sections against outward movement in the bearings 20. The inner ends of the sections of the shaft 19 are arranged contiguous to each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 9, a sprocket-wheel 24 being secured to the inner end of one of the sections of the shaft 19 and a slidable clutchsection 25 being mounted on the other section of the shaft 19 for engaging the sprocket-wheel 24 for coupling the two sections of the shaft 19 together. The hub of the sprocket-wheel 24 is provided with a suitable recess 26, and the slidable clutch-section is provided with a suitable engaging portion to tit in the recess 26, whereby it is interlocked with the sprocket-wheel 24. The clutch-section 25 is provided with a suitable groove to receive a key 27 of the shaftsection, upon which it is mounted. Any suitable means may be employed for sliding the clutch-section into and out of engagement with the sprocket-Wheel for coupling and uncoupling the sections of the lshaft 19. A lever 2S is shown in Fig. 2 for effecting this result; but any other operating mechanism may be employed and when it is desired to change the direction of the machine. WVheu the sections of the propelling-shaft are uncoupled, the front traction-wheels will be permitted to travel at different speeds and in reverse directions for enabling the machine to be turned Within a smallarea. The sprocketwheel 24 is connected by 'a sprocket-chain 29 with a sprocket-pinion 30 of a main drumshaft 31, which is connected by a gearing 32 with the engine, and the compound propelling mechanism which drives each of the front traction-wheels affords great tractionpower and will enable the machine to travel rapidly over the ground and lo ascend steep grades. The gearing will enable the front traction-wheels to be driven in either direction, and when the sections of the shaft 19 are uucoupled the left-hand traction-Wheel may be driven in either direction to facilitate vturning the machine in a comparatively small space.

The proper tension is maintained on the sprocket-chain 29 by a lower sprocket-Wheel or pinion 33, which is arranged beneath and which receives the lower flight or run of the sprocket-chain, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This sprocket-wheel or pinion 33 may be adj ustably mounted in any desired manner, or any other vform of tension device may be employed for elfecting this result.

The rear portion of the frame of the machine is provided with a rear bolster consisting, preferably, of a pair of channel-bars 34 and a wood 'filler 35, consisting of a bar or ICO IIO

beam interposed between the channel-bars 34, as clearly shown in Fig. of the drawings;

- but any other form of bolster may be employed. Secured to the bolster, at the center thereof, is an upper bearing-plate 36 of substantially elliptical or oblong shape, having a central circular convex protuberance or bearing portion 37. The plate extends transversely of the machine beyond the bearingportion 37 and is bolted or otherwise secured to the bottom lia-nges of the channel-bars 34. The bearing-portion 37, which is approximately semispherical, is adapted to coperate with a lower central Abearing-plate 38 to form a partial ball-and-socket joint. The lower central bearing-plate 38, which is mounted on a bracket or support 39, is of substantially the same shape as the upper central bearing- Vplate and is provided' with a central upwardlyextending bearing portion 40, having a concavity receiving the depended roundedbearing portion of the upper plate and adapted to permit the front axle to rotate horizontally and to rock vertically to permit the rear wheels to run on uneven ground, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. S of the drawings, without throwing the machine out of plumb and without tilting the frame l from its horizontal position, The lower bearing-plate 38 is bolted or otherwisesecured to the bracket or support 39,which is interposed between the lower bearing-plate and the rear axle and which is constructed of flanged metal. The bracket or support 89 consists of a top and bottom and connecting webs or flanges arranged at right angles to each other, as clearly indicated in Figs. 5 and 8. The bottom of the bracket or support 39 is provided with front and rear depending flanges 4l, arranged to embrace the rear axle,at the upper edge thereof, and perforated to receive bolts of clips 42.KL The clips 42, which consist of -upright bolts and connecting clip-plates, receive the rear axle and firmly clamp the same in the recess or seat formed by the depending flanges of the bearing or support 39. The upper and lower bearing-plates 36 and 38 are connected by a central vertical pivot-pin 43, having a head at its upper end and preferably provided at its lower portion with a movable key 44; but any other suitable means may beeinployed for retaining the rear axle on the pivot-pin. The openings of the central rear bearing-plates are tapered to permit the necessary play or movement of the lower bearing-plate on the upper one incident vto the rocking or tilting movement of lthe rear axle and to the horizontal rotary movement ofthe same.

The horizontal rotary movement of the rear axle for guiding the machine is effected by partially rotating a horizontal turning-ring- 45, supported beneath the rear portion of the frame l by depending brackets 46, secured to the frame at opposite sides of the ring 45 and at points in advance and in rear of the same, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.

The brackets 46 are provided at `their tops with horizontal flanges,

which are pierced bysuitable fastening devices for securing the brackets to the frame l. The bottoms of the brackets are provided with inwardly-extending supporting portions, which receive the ring 45. The ring 45 is provided, at its bottom with an outwardlyextending horizontal liange 47, and it has at diametrically opposite points inwardly-extending approximately L-shaped lianges 48, to which are secured depending guide-plates 49, which engage the rear axle. The guideplates 49 are provided with vertical slots or openings 50, and they have vertical flanges at .opposite sides of the said slots or openings, which form broad bearing-surfaces for the rear axle and which also strengthen the guideplates. The upper portions of the guideplates are pierced by suitable fastening devices for securing them to the flanges 48 of the ring 45. The rear axle is provided at its ends with suitable spindles for the reception of wheels 5l, which are smaller than the front traction-wheels, as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings. g

The horizontal ring 45, which is loosely supported by the brackets 46, is provided at its rear half with internal spur-teeth 52, preferably extending overa distance slightly greater than one-half of the ring and forming a curved rack which meshes with a pinion or gear 53 When the pinion or.

be employedv for such purpose. Y

The pinion which meshes with the turning ring is arranged between horizontal ears or flanges 55 of a bearing-bracket 56, which is secured to the rear portion of the frame l and which also braces the lower portion of the upright shaft 54. The ringis preferably provided with an inwardly-extending flange 57, arranged at the bottom of the ring in the same plane as the outwardly-extending flange 47 and preferably extending entirely around the ring. 'When the inner horizontal liange extends entirtly around the ring, it will constitute a por ion ofthe tlanges 48; but the inner horizontal flange may be omitted from the front portion of the ring, if desired. The bearing-bracket 56 consists of an approximately triangular upright portion having the ears or flanges extending rearward from it,

as shown in Fig. 5, and provided with forwardly or inwardly extending ilanges, which are connected by vertlcal'webs or flanges.

IOC

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ranged at the top, bottom, and center of the upright triangular body portion,and a bracket v of great strength is thereby provided.

The upright shaft 54, which is journaled in suitable bearings of the ears or flanges 55 of the bracket, extends upward to the frame l and carries a horizontal worm-gear 58, which meshes with a worm 59 of a transverse shaft 60. The shaft 60, which extends to one side of the machine, is journaled in suitable bearings of the frame of the machine, and it carries a sprocket pinion or gear 6l at its outer end and is connected with a hand-operated shaft 62 by a sprocket-chain 63, which is arranged on the sprocket-wheel 6l and on a similar sprocket-wheel 64 of the shaft 62. The shaft 62 is provided at its outer end with a hand-wheel 65, having a suitable grip or handle and adapted to be rotated to operate the gearing for turning the rear axle. The worm-gearing constitutes a lock for retaining the rear axle at any adjustment and it obviates the necessity of employing a separate locking device for this purpose. Any other means may be employed for rotating the worm-shaft for actuating the gearing for operating the turning-ring 45.

The front and rear portions of the ring 45 are connected with the rear axle by braces 66, preferably consistingof a continuous rod extending beneath the rear axle, at the center thereof, and terminating in suitable eyes, which are secured to the ring 45. This form of brace will not interfere withthe rocking movement of the rear axle.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination of a frame, wheels provided with gears, a propelling-shaft composed of two sections provided at their outer ends with pinions meshing with the said gears, gearing connected with one of the sections of the propelling-shaft, a clutch mounted on the other section of the shaft for coupling and uncoupling the sections, and means for driving the gearing, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of thc class herein described, the combination of a frame, longitudinal plates located beneath the frame at opposite sides thereof and depending therefrom, an axle extending across the frame and piercing the plates, a transverse propellingshaft also piercing the plates, said plates forming bearings for and supporting both the shaft and the axle, kWheels mounted on the axle and provided with gears, pinions carried by the shaft and meshing with the gears, and means for driving the shaft, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination of a frame, longitudinal plates located beneath and depending from the frame at opposite sides thereof, a

transverse bar mounted on the frame and located beneath the same and abutting against the outer ends of the, depending plates, an axle piercing the plates, wheels mounted on the axle, a propelling-shaft also supported by the plates, gearing for connecting the propelling-shaft with the wheels, and means for driving the propelling-shaft, substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination of a frame, a ring, brackets carried by the frame and supporting the ring, an axle connected with the ring, and means for operating the ring to turn the axle in the desired direction, substantially as described.

5. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of loosely-mounted front wheels provided with detachable rings having offset iianges provided with internal teeth, apropelling-shaft provided at its ends with pinions located within the rings and meshing with the teeth thereof, and means fordriving the propellingshaft, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of longitudinal plates located beneath the frame and provided at their upper edges with anges secured directly to the bottom of the frame, a front axle piercing the plates and supported by the same, boxings mounted on the plates and receiving the front axle, Wheels arranged on the ends of the axle, and means for rotating the Wheels, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of longitudinal depending plates provided with flanges and secured to the frame, a front axle piercing the plates between the ends thereof, sectional boxings mounted on the plates and clamping the front axle, front wheels loosely arranged on the front axle and having gears, a propelling-shaft mounted on the said plates and provided with gears meshing with those of the said Wheels, and means for operating the propelling-shaft, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, front wheels loosely mounted at the front portion of the frame, rings provided with internal teeth and having annular'flanges approximately L- shaped in cross-section secured to the front wheels, gearing meshing with the teeth of the rings, and means for operating the gearing, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of an axle pivotally connected therewith and capable of a vertical rocking movement and a horizontal rotary movement, a rotary element mounted on the frame and having a guide receiving and engaging the axle, and means for actuating the rotary element, substantially as described.

l0. In a machine of the class herein de- ISC IIO

ISO

scribed, the combination with a frame, of a pivotally-monnted axle arranged torotate horizontally, a member loosely mounted on the frame and provided with means for en; gaging the axle, and means for partially ro tatingthe said member, whereby the axle is partially rotated, substantially as described.

11. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of a ring loosely mounted on the frame, a pivotally-mounted axle connected with the ring, and means for partially rotating the ring for turning the axle, substantially as described.

12. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of a ring mounted thereon, a rotary axle connected with the ring, and means for partially rotating the ring to turn the axle in the desired direction, substantially as described.v

13. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frametof a ring, an axle connected with the ring, and means for partially rotating the ring to turn the axle in the desired direction, substantially as described. 14. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with -a frame, of an axle arranged to swing horizontally and to rock vertically, a rotary member having a guide receiving and engaging the'axle, and gearing for partially rotating the said member for turning the axle in the desired direction, substantially as described.

15. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of a ring mounted for rot-ary movement, an axleconnected with the frame and having a limited rocking movement independently thereof, and means for partially rotating the ring, substantially as described.

16. In a machine of the class herein de scribed, the combination with a frame, of brackets carried by the frame, a ring supported by the brackets and provided with guides, an axle capable of a limited rocking movement in Vthe guides, and means for partially rotating the ring to turn the axle in the desired direction, substantially as described.

17. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, yof a ring mounted for rotation and provided with a curved rack, an axle connected with the ring, and gearing meshing with the rack for partially rotating the ring, substantially as described.

18. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, of an axle, central bearing-plates connected with the axle and with the frame and permitting the axle a rotary and a limited rocking movement, a rotary element mounted on the frame and provided with means for limiting the rocking movement of the axle, and means for operating the rotary. element, substantially as described.

19. Ina machine of the class herein .described, the combination with a frame, and an axle, ot a bracket or support mounted on the axle, upper and lower bearing-plates connected with the frame and with the support, a pivot connecting the bearing-plates and permitting the axle to have a rotary and a rocking movement, and means for turning the axle and for limiting the rocking movement thereof, substantially as described.

20. In a machine of the class herein de- K scribed, the combination with a frame, and an axle, of a bracket mounted upon the axle and provided with flanges embracing the same, clips securing the bracket and the axle together, and upper and lower bearing-plates pivotally connected with each other and secured to the frame and to the bracket, substantially as described. y

21. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, and an axle, of upper and lower bearing-plates connected respectively with the frame and with the axle, the upper bearing-plate having a depending rounded protuberauce, and the lower bearing-plate being provided with a concavity, and means for rotating the axle and for limiting the rocking movement of the same, substantially as described.

22. In a machine of the class herein described, theV combination with a frame,and an axle, of a ring mounted for rotation and connected with the axle and provided with a rack, an upright `shaft` mounted on the frame, a gear carried by the shaft and meshing with the rack, and means for operating the shaft, substantially as described.

23. In a machine of the class herein de-V scribed, the combination witha frame, and an axle, of a toothed ring mounted for rotation and located above andv connected directly with the axle, a shaft having a gear meshing with the teeth of the ring, and worm-gearing for rotating the shaft, substantially as de said shaft and for locking the ring in its ad' justment, and sprocket-gearing for operating the worm-gearing, substantially as described.

25. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame, and an axle, of a ring mounted for rotation and provided with means fr directly engaging the axle, braces extending from the axle to the ring, and means for operating the ring, substantially as described.

26. In a machine of the class herein described, the combination with a frame,and an axle, of a ring mounted for rotation and provided at opposite sides with depending guideplates having slots or openings to receive the ICO through the openings of the plates and connecting the same, and means for rotating the axle and for limiting the rocking movement of the same, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM S. RUSSELL.

Witnesses:

ELISHA B. SOUTHARD, JOHN W. HACKETT. 

